SFSU Public Affairs Press Release

SFSU Media Advisory

SFSU press briefing on important details for Sunday March 28 Verducci Hall implosion and building of new Village at Centenial Square

WHAT: A press briefing to discuss two March 28 events. At 3 p.m., San Francisco State University will break ground for the Village at Centennial Square, a new student residence/services complex. Shortly after the groundbreaking, at 4 p.m., Verducci Hall, a 760-bed student residence building that has been vacant since it was damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, will be demolished.

WHEN: Friday, March 26, 10 a.m., Guest Center, Presidio Room, San Francisco State University main campus. The Guest Center is located at 798 Font Blvd.

WHY: Until the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, Verducci Hall served as a 760-bed high-rise residence hall for students at San Francisco State University (SFSU). After the earthquake, the building was deemed structurally unsound and was closed. During the next nine years, SFSU officials were engaged in negotiations with the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) as to Verducci’s fate. In May 1998, SFSU and FEMA agreed to demolish Verducci and build a new student residence to replace the beds Verducci provided.

The new low-rise Village at Centennial Square will provide 760 beds, commercial space and a student affairs complex. The Village will be constructed near the center of campus on the Old Corporation Yard. This location was selected for its superior soil conditions and its close proximity to SFSU’s existing residence halls and Student apartment complex. The Village will be ready for occupancy by August 2000.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Immediately following the briefing, we will provide media an opportunity to visit the Verducci construction site for photos.

DETAILS ON COVERAGE: Aerial coverage: A minimal airspace surrounding Verducci Hall will be restricted to air traffic. The minimal area will be 1500 AGL quarter mile radius.

Coverage details: OSHA requires that the blasting contractor receive the following information for all your transmitting equipment:

1. wattage

2. frequency

Viewing: The University has set aside a reserved viewing location for the media that will be on top of the parking structure, at the end of North State Drive. This location provides direct, excellent viewing of the East Side of the building. It will be located next to the VIP area where the implosion "button" will be pushed.

If alternate camera locations are desired, we need those requests by the briefing so we can inform you whether or not those locations are possible for safety reasons, or how we may be able to accommodate your request.

For more information about this press briefing, contact Ligeia Polidora, director, SFSU Public Affairs at 415/ 338-3053